20 Most Addictive Icon Designs Worth Your Attention

Although we tend to overlook them or consider them as something normal, icons are actually pretty awesome. First of all, considering how small they are, they are able to convey an insane amount of information. Second, they are probably the main reason why computers have become common. They represent the very core of user-friendliness. Since they are so limited in its dimensions but have such a huge task to fulfill, designing them is a nightmare. However, according to Steven James, who works as a designer for essaygeeks.co.uk, you can make your job just a little bit easier by finding inspiration in someone else’s work, or even use some of the available, free icons for your projects.
We have taken the liberty of compiling a list of 20 best icon designs you just have to see.

Check out some icon designs we really admire!

1. 5 O’clock Shades

This particular design is beautiful, but it’s deceptively simple. The icons themselves would be pretty standard, but the addition of a subtle shadow pretty much changes everything. It makes the icons look 10 times better.

2. 48 Vector Icons by Sergey Schmidt

Contrary to the 5 O’clock Shades set, these icons are totally minimalistic, yet their designer has managed to capture the essence of what each one represents, without having to create a 3D effect.

3. YouTube

YouTube icon is shaped like a screen of a cathode ray tube TV set, and the “Play” triangle in the middle has become synonymous with videos.

4. iconShock Flat Icons

Although still flat, these icons have a bit of shine to them, which blends perfectly with glossy screens and adds a bit of flair.

8. Procreate Icon

In case you are not familiar with it, Strata is a puzzle game involving ribbons, and the apps icon shows that using only subtle shadows and a bit of texture.

10. TodoMovies 4

What happens when you combine a tick, mostly associated with checklists and a curtain? You get this icon. The curtains represent the theater, while the tick mark represents all the movies you have yet to watch.

11. Flat Design Icons Set Vol. 1

Although it was one of the first examples of flat design, this set still holds up really well, and wouldn’t feel out of place in 2018 with a few small changes.

12. Typewriter Icon

It’s impressive how realistic this icon looks, and how it has nothing to with flat design. We especially love the QWERTY keys.

13. Othercircles Icon Set

Incorporating circular shapes, these icons are clean, streamlined, minimalistic, but also very versatile.

14. 1Password

The connection between a password and a padlock is more than obvious here, which helps it stand apart.

15. Earth Primer

Earth Primer is an interactive book, and this icon cleverly shows all of the Earth’s layers, along with the planet’s blue glow juxtaposed against the darkness of space.

16. SNES Controller Icon

The design of the controller itself is so streamlined already that it makes perfect sense to use it as an icon as well.

17. Doo – Get Things Done Icon

Conquering a mountain is a textbook example of an achievement. You get more of the same, but on a smaller scale, when you complete all of your tasks, and Doo’s icon captures that perfectly.

18. Launch Center Pro Icon

Launch Center is a productivity app, and by incorporating a rocket, it demonstrates its effect on your work.

19. Chuck Icon

Another great example of realistic design. It hasn’t been used for anything, but that doesn’t make its design any less awesome.

20. Dribble Magic Book

This one manages to look even more realistic than the Chuck icon.

Conclusion

As you can see, even though icon design sets some limitations before you, there is still plenty of room left for you to experiment. We hope that these icons will inspire come great designs of your own. Good luck!

Chris Richardson has been working as an editor at a publishing agency in London, UK for 5 years. He is also a professional content writing expert in such topics as career growth, self-improvement, blogging, and technology innovations. Feel free to connect with him on Google+.